Reflections on IWBs

I do not have any experience with IWBs, so this activity was a learning curve for me as were a number of the other activities. Based on my readings and the various comments made in the group blogg by my colleagues, I now have a better understanding of and a keener appreciation for this powerful piece of learning tool. My understanding is that IWBs provide ways to show students anything which can be shown on a computer screen, (educational soft ware, websites and so on and so forth)
 Classroom application of this tool is almost limitless. Teachers can use it in a number of ways including but not limited to: presenting presentations made by students and teachers, digital story telling, preparing lessons to be presented at a later dater using the interwrite software, collaborative problem solving and reinforcing skills by using online interactive websites.                                             The readings and the testimonies of my colleagues who have had the privilege of using IWBs strongly suggests that they have the capacity to transform our regular classroom environment into a multi-modal one where students can begin to act as agents of their own meaning-making,locating information and more importantly exploring and interpreting how to turn data into knowledge. In short, IWBs if used properly should help to expand critical and creative thinking among our students.

One Computer Classroom

Good teachers are concerned with their children's learning and plan with them in mind. In the One Computer Classroom, the teacher must plan to maximize the benefits of having that one computer in the classroom. It is better to have a loaf of bread than none at all.To maximize these benefits the teacher must use the computer in new ways. This would call for extensive planning on behalf of the teacher. In his planning, he has to decide where technology can be used to meet curriculum standards and related learning activities. Planning must ensure that each student is given adequate time on the computer while at the same time allowing other students to engage in useful activities during none computer time or time away from the computer.

I particularly like the fact that the one computer if used effectively can foster collaboration where students learn from each other and can apply co-operative problem solving skills to address challenges that may confront them form time to time. This type  of learning environment simulates real world learning.